Category: Label Releases

After years of playing underground punk DIY shows across the Midwest, 1997 saw this Chicago 9 piece break out into the national ska scene with contributions on Jump Up!’s “Return of American Skathic” and Moon Ska’s “Skarmageddon 3”, where they received the most press out of all the bands on the two-disc set with their summery happy-go lucky skalypso romp “Palabras”. A limited run as made for local shows, but now the boys have joined Jump Up! to go all out on this 13 track album full of Continue reading GREENHOUSE – “Tomorrow the World” CD – (JUMP011)

Hailing from Chicago, The Eclectics have combined a wide range of musical influences, from King Diamond to Krautrock, from Naked Raygun to the Buckinghams, or from the English Beat to the Jacksons. The end result is a wonder to behold. Over the past few years, The Eclectics have gone through numerous line-up changes though two things have always rang true: 1) no individual is too far out for the band, and 2) every member has been dedicated to putting on a tight and energetic live show to please just about any audience. The current line-up is the strongest yet, hosting a wide Continue reading THE ECLECTICS – “Idle Worship” CD / LP (OUT OF PRINT) – (JUMP010)

After appearances on top U.S. ska comps “Return of American Skathic” (Vol 4), “Generic Skaca” (combined over 15,000 units), plus a scheduled appearance on MOON SKA NYC’s third volume of the Skarmageddon series, Chicago’s HOT STOVE JIMMY are well on the way to being one of 1997’s brightest “new skool” ska bands. Locally, the band has quickly become a fave through their debut CD on Strike Out!; a track on the Taste Of Chicago punx comp; opening for top national acts The Specials Continue reading HOT STOVE JIMMY – “Salute” CD – (JUMP009 – OUT OF PRINT)

After appearances on top U.S. ska comps “American Skathic”, “American Skathic 2”, and “Misfits of Ska” plus their well-received debut ‘No Shirt, No Shoes, No Exceptions” on ICON, Detroit’s longest-running ska troop returns with a hot new album that is sure to surprise many of their long-time fans. Fast & furious “ska-core” still being their forte, the band saw several line-up changes in the past 2 years bringing to the stage a more well-rounded ska sound that includes jumpy “rock steady” styled numbers and straight-up, dance floor-driven modern “3RD WAVE” ska. They make statements about Continue reading EXCEPTIONS – “Five Finger Discount” CD – (JUMP008 – OUT OF PRINT)

After appearances on top U.S. ska comps “American Skathic”, “American Skathic 2”, “Spawn Of Skarmageddon” (on MOON), and ‘Generic Skaca” (which combined have sold more than 40,000 copies), Detroit’s top ska-punk band finally release their debut full-length after three years of hardwork & touring. The Skolars are part of today’s new skool ska movement, one that refuses to copy the 60’s/2-Tone formula. Their sound builds on the energy & positive message from previous ska Continue reading TELEGRAPH (formerly the Skolars) – “10 Songs & Then Some” CD / LP (JUMP007 – OUT OF PRINT)

The fourth volume in this hugely successful Midwest ska series, “Return of American Skathic” storms into 96 with an over-powering collection of 26 new ska bands (NONE appearing on previous Skathic CDS). Midwest Ska is growing at an alarming rate, with larger audiences and more bands playing than every before. And it’s not just a “2-Tone” revival, Midwest ska is more diverse than anywhere else, and this comp depicts this range with 60’s traditional jazz ska (Adjusters, Articles, & Space Heaters), Continue reading Various Artists – “Return of American Skathic” – The Midwest Strikes Back! CD – (JUMP006 – OUT OF PRINT)

Minneapolis’ ska giants release their debut disc, which is the ska world’s first CD PLUS: it includes a 7 MINUTE LIVE VIDEO! While many talk about going back to the roots of Jamaican ska, SUSPECT BILL does and takes the music back even further — to the roots of jazz itself — big band style with all the brass, glamour, style, and swing that entertained America between the wars. SUSPECT BILL’s big horns have been compared to top U.S. bands TINY HAT ORCHESTRA and the CHERRY POPPIN’ DADDIES, and yet they create a sound all their own: a superb mix of chilling minor melodies, powerful horn Continue reading SUSPECT BILL – “Bill Me Later” CD – (JUMP005 – OUT OF PRINT)

The Parka Kings play a straight, up-tempo modern ska whose only gimmick is that they concentrate mor e on getting together some good songs rather than seeing how many genres they could cram into their act. Big ‘ol horns, a solid keyboard-bass-drums rhythm section, and solid production values make thi s one dependable disc. When they smooth out on a swingy jam like “Alone”, the urge to dance moves me. –Noah Wildman, Moon NYC Store Manager, printed in Sound Views Continue reading PARKA KINGS – “23 Skidoo” CD – (JUMP004 – OUT OF PRINT)

The third in this popular Midwest ska series, returning hot on the heels of American Skathic 2–More Ska From America’s Breadbasket, which garnered acclaim from writers/DJ’s worldwide for exposing new bands doing many styles of ska. Alternative Press declared in their August ’95 issue “smart comps like these only increase the music’s visibility: smart people like you should be buying them” after noticing the disc’s CMJ College Radio chart power during the spring. In Chicago, American Skathic 2 Continue reading Various Artists – “Death of an American Skathic” – Midwest Ska’s Forgotten Past – (JUMP003 – OUT OF PRINT)

The second in a extremely popular Midwest ska series, returning hot on the heels of American Skathic–A Portrait of Midwest Ska Past & Present, which garnered tremendous criticall acclaim from writers and DJ’s worldwide including Billboard and Alternative Press. Locally, the American Skathic CD was a focal point in two Chicago Tribune articles (inc front page of Tempo October 7, 1994), received a full page piece in New City Magazine, and generated two near capacity shows at major indie rock club Metro. Alternative Press called it “fast, slow, weird [and] wonderful. American Skathic Continue reading Various Artists – “American Skathic Vol. 2″ – More Ska From America’s Breadbasket – (JUMP002 – OUT OF PRINT)